Waukegan Mayor Paravonian To Face Nemesis In Gop Primary

November 14, 1992|By James Hill and Fred Tannenbaum.

In what promises to be one of the most heated Waukegan mayoral primaries in recent years, local real-estate agent Jack Potter announced Friday he will challenge Mayor Haig Paravonian for the city`s top job.

``I`ve watched authoritative and controlling government, and the stagnation, apathy and flight that it has caused,`` Potter said Friday at a news conference in front of City Hall.

Without naming Paravonian or his administration directly, Potter continued, ``Very few are asked or expected to participate. They don`t want us. They`ll do it all themselves their way. They`ve driven business and good citizens out of town.``

Paravonian, Waukegan`s mayor since 1989 and a city councilman for more than 20 years, refrained from commenting Friday about Potter`s announcement.

But if past animosity between the two is any indication, the months of campaigning leading up to February`s Republican primary should be venomous.

Potter has been a familiar figure, but not always a welcome one, at City Hall. An outspoken critic of the city`s economic development efforts and its Building and Zoning Departments, he helped organize a failed effort to put a referendum proposal on the November ballot to change the city`s administration from a mayoral to a managerial form of government.

Had such a proposal passed, it would have effectively reduced the mayor`s role in city government.

Paravonian and his supporters, who lobbied against the referendum, not only attacked the ballot measure but also Potter personally.

Paravonian labeled him a ``slumlord,`` and others charged he does not live in Waukegan, though he owns a home in town that he uses as his primary address.

``If (Paravonian) says I`m a slumlord, I`ll say `It`s a free country,` he can think what he wants to think,`` Potter has said.

Potter said he has been living in Libertyville since he remarried a year ago, but is in the process of remodeling his home at 8 St. James Pl. and plans to move in this weekend.

``Basically, I won`t get involved in a bunch of name-calling,`` Potter said. ``I don`t want it to be a part of the campaign. I won`t let it be a part of the campaign.``

But when asked if he expected the race to be a clean one, Potter responded, ``I just hope that I am able to be a gentleman.``

Contributing to the rancor that characterizes Potter`s relationship with current city government is his continued criticism of the city`s director of community and economic development, Wes Dunski.

Potter was the impetus for a federal investigation in the early 1980s of charges that city officials bought and sold federally-owned houses at a profit. One of those investigated was Dunski, who was never charged although two Waukegan aldermen were sent to prison in the scam. Potter continues to level charges at Dunski.

``I spent three years going over it with the FBI and with the IRS and I`m clear,`` Dunski said. ``I take what Jack Potter says about me personally with a grain of salt.``

In 1990, the city filed a lawsuit against Potter, charging he failed to

``deconvert`` a Waukegan two-flat that he bought in 1978 from five apartments to two. Potter lost the case, and last August a state appellate judge turned down his appeal.

Potter has contended the city was punishing him for his criticism in the 1980s.

Paravonian also has had to face criticism of some of his actions while mayor.

In August, Paravonian was forced by Ald. Donald Weakley to acknowledge that he had helped convicted criminal Blue Sexton, 19, get out of the city jail. At the time, Paravonian allegedly was dating Sexton`s mother.

Sexton was awaiting trial on charges including assault, mob action and disorderly conduct filed a week earlier, according to County Jail records.

The night Paravonian intervened to get Sexton released, Waukegan police arrested Sexton for a traffic violation.

A subsequent council investigation was conducted, and Paravonian was cleared of any wrongdoing.

Until Friday, Paravonian was the only announced candidate in the city`s mayoral election, which will be held April 20. The primary is Feb. 23.

If Paravonian survives the challenge from Potter, he still may face opposition in the general election. Weakley, who criticized the decision to clear Paravonian, has said he is considering running in the Democratic primary.

``I don`t think this mayor will be re-elected,`` Weakley said. ``I think there will be a number of people running, and that`s good. The people should have a choice. We lack leadership right now.``